Morocco and France Sign 22 Agreements Strengthening Ties in Trade, Energy, and Education

On Monday in Rabat, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron oversaw the signing of 22 significant agreements, furthering cooperation across diverse sectors between the two countries. The ceremony, attended by senior officials and members of the royal family, underscored a shared commitment to economic development, environmental sustainability, and cultural exchange.

The agreements cover a range of priorities for Morocco and France, beginning with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on high-speed rail. This includes acquiring 18 high-speed train sets from Alstom for Morocco’s railways, managed by the ONCF, Morocco’s national rail office. A second agreement on financial cooperation in railway development was signed by economic officials from both countries to support this expansion.

A third agreement focuses on the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail project, with the ONCF enlisting project management assistance from French companies Systra and Egis. Additionally, an equipment supply contract between ONCF and Vossloh Cogifer was finalized, ensuring infrastructure enhancements for the high-speed network.

Further agreements emphasize aerospace industry growth. France’s Safran group will establish a maintenance facility for aircraft engines, worth €130 million, with Morocco pledging land and resources to support the project. The two countries also signed an agreement on green hydrogen development, wherein Morocco will allocate land for projects in renewable energy and support TotalEnergies’ investment in this emerging sector.

Morocco and France extended their partnership to energy policy, committing to enhance cooperation on renewables and hydrogen production through strategic plans. A substantial investment accelerator was also established, targeting projects in Morocco, including a €300 million joint venture for sustainable infrastructure.

In civil protection, two agreements focus on firefighting and emergency response cooperation, promoting knowledge-sharing on predictive technology and improved air resource management to combat wildfires.

Another series of agreements emphasizes water resource management, green port initiatives, and the blue economy. This includes a €100 million loan from the French Development Agency to support Morocco’s National Ports Agency’s efforts in environmental resilience.

Education and culture also play a central role, with France and Morocco setting cooperation goals for higher education and vocational training, aiming to build a French-Moroccan research center in Rabat focused on advanced fields like AI and cybersecurity. Cultural agreements include plans for a Gaming City in Rabat to boost Morocco’s video game industry, reflecting growing interest in creative industries.

Additional agreements span decarbonization, agricultural sustainability, and infrastructure investment, with the OCP Group and partners like ENGIE focusing on green electricity and desalination projects. The event concluded with an agreement between Tanger Med and the CMA CGM Group to develop a container terminal, solidifying Morocco's role as a global shipping hub.

This signing ceremony reflects a broad commitment to strengthen economic and cultural ties between Morocco and France, promising advancements in technology, sustainability, and education.

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